Southaven, MS Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Sec. 7-16(c) is the core commercial dumpster rule. All refuse generated at loading dock sites or other commercial sites on private property must be collected in an enclosed container or an enclosed area, and the number and size of containers must be adequate for that collection. The tops, lids, doors or openings to any dumpster or other container or enclosed area must be closed and tightly secured except while material is being loaded or unloaded, so that littering or scattering of debris outside the site is prevented.

Sec. 7-16(b) adds a construction rule. It is unlawful for a construction or demolition contractor to fail to provide an on-site enclosed container or enclosed area for loose debris, paper, building material waste, scrap building material and other trash. All such materials must be containerized by the end of each day, and dirt, mud or debris deposited on a public right-of-way or street must be removed by the contractor by the end of each day.

Other Title VII sections fill in the picture. Sec. 7-7(a) requires the owner of multiple dwellings or multiple occupancy with three (3) or more tenants, or any premises needing more than two (2) garbage carts, to keep a commercial dumpster of sufficient size, bag the garbage, and provide a service that collects and hauls it away on a weekly basis, subject to the public works director's case-by-case hardship discretion. Sec. 7-7(b) keeps lids tightly closed at all times other than when refuse is deposited or removed, and Sec. 7-7(c) prohibits fifty-five-gallon drums as garbage containers. Sec. 7-3 makes it unlawful for anyone other than the city to collect garbage in the city, except private collectors specifically authorized in nonresidential collection. Sec. 7-8, on container location, addresses city carts at the curb, not dumpsters. Sec. 8-158 separately requires every transient vendor to have access to a permanent commercial dumpster on site.